ArmadilloCon is this weekend, which means I’m in crunch mode. I’ve actually tackled quite a bit of my to-do list for this month, but I still have a few big things to do before the conference. Here’s my schedule, and some more cohesive thoughts about each one. This is all, of course, in addition to the Writers’ Workshop, which is all day on Friday.
Protecting the Indigenous Tribes
Fri 8:00 PM-9:00 PM Room E
Maresca*, Compton, Wright
Indigenous peoples confront a diverse range of concerns. What should be done to ensure their existence?
I have to admit, this one gives me a lot of pause, if for no other reason than the very title is fraught with landmines. This is an easy conversation to go south with, and I’ll confess I do not have any sort of first-hand experience on topic. I know one point I’d like to hit is how to apply this to SF/F fiction, since, you know, it’s an SF/F Lit conference, not an anthropological one.
40 Years of D&D
Fri 9:00 PM-10:00 PM Room F
Benjamin*, Finn, Maresca, Marmell, Sarath, Wright
How did D&D inspire authors?
I haven’t been playing D&D for 40 years, but I started within its first decade (and my own). I know that my own experience with fantasy as a genre has a lot of roots in D&D. This should be a fun one.
Quetzaxuahuitzalochtlicueotl
Sat 1:00 PM-2:00 PM Room E
Richerson*, Maresca, Oliver
Discussion of Aztec mythology and why it isn’t used in more genre stories.
This is the other one that gives me some pause, though I’m a little more comfortable with the subject matter. Nothing which would qualify me as an “expert” in any sense, but certainly bringing Mesoamerican and, in a more modern context, Mexican sensibilities to genre fiction is a topic I’m interested in.
Alcoholic Drinks in Fiction
Sat 5:00 PM-6:00 PM Room F
Maresca*, Acks, Allen, Downum, Renwick
Discussing the drinks mentioned in stories, movies and tv.
I’ve long been a big proponent of using food in fiction as a means of showing worldbuilding and character, and alcoholic drinks are a key subset of that. An entertaining subset at that. So I’ll do my best not to be dry and academic about the history of beer or something.
Reading
Sat 8:00 PM-9:00 PM Southpark A
Marshall Ryan Maresca
An hour all about ME. So come to Southpark A and hear me read, probably from both Thorn of Dentonhill and A Murder of Mages. And, depending, there will be some Q&A. By which I mean, if someone asks me questions, I will do my best to answer them.
Best Cons from Genre Books
Sun 10:00 AM-11:00 AM Room D
Webb*, Blaschke, Maresca
Not many people are good at writing capers. Which books do it right?
I love a good caper. To an extent, Holver Alley Crew is a caper. This should be fun.
Overhauling a Character
Sun 11:00 AM-Noon Room F
Maresca*, Bracken, Carl, Chang, McKay, Rogers
Now that you have written a book, go back and rewrite your main character.
I have specific stuff to say here, about the revision process of A Murder of Mages from rough draft to sold draft. I’m sure everyone else will as well.
So that’s it. I hope to see some of you there. If you come, say hello. I know I’d greatly appreciate it.